Fort Lauderdale, Florida -November 3, 2023: Stanton A. Witherspoon, a Liberian born American citizen who was embroiled in a scandal involving a fake nursing degree and wire fraud has been sentenced to 41 months imprisonment.
The case has attracted considerable attention, not only within the United States but also internationally, with Liberia Public Radio providing coverage of the proceedings.
Stanton A. Witherspoon, a healthcare professional and businessman was among 26 individuals arrested early this year for selling fake nursing degrees to over 7,000 nurses.
Legal Proceedings
Our correspondent says Witherspoon’s sentencing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida courtroom was full of emotions as he burst in tears after he sentencing was read by judge Rodney Smith where he was sentenced to 41 months beginning January 31, 2024.
Liberia Public Radio, Alphonso Soe says no electronic device was allowed in the courtroom as the proceeding happens.
However, at the court on Thursday, Stanton’s lawyers presented a cheque of US$3.5 million as restitution of the dividends earned through the fraudulent scheme.
When ask by the judge Stanton admitted to failing his family and friends who trusted him.
Stanton A. Witherspoon, 48, was born in Liberia and later migrated to the United states where he now owned several properties and some legitimate businesses. He also owned the Spoon Network with headquarters in Liberia operating three radio stations and one TV station.
He admitted to wire fraud in August after he earlier plead not guilty during his first court appearance.
Link to Unity Party
Recently, Mr. Witherspoon admitted to proving $60,000 as rental fee for the Opposition Unity Party headquarters in Monrovia after political commentator Henry Costa claimed paying the amount to the party. Many of his supporters back home in Liberia have been offering prayers for less year in jail due to his involvement in humanitarian activities in both United States and Liberia.
Twenty defendants have pled guilty or been convicted at trial in U.S. District Court in South Florida for their participation in a wire fraud scheme, known as Operation Nightingale, that created an illegal licensing and employment shortcut for aspiring nurses.
According to public records, residents of Florida, along with individuals from other states, were charged for their involvement in a scheme to sell fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts obtained from accredited Florida-based nursing schools to individuals seeking licenses and jobs as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs).
The bogus diplomas and transcripts qualified purchasers to sit for the national nursing board exam and, after passing it, to obtain licenses and jobs in various states as RNs and LPN/VNs.
The overall scheme involved the distribution of more than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas issued by three South Florida-based nursing schools: Siena College in Broward County, Florida (Fla.), Palm Beach School of Nursing in Palm Beach County, Fla., and Sacred Heart International Institute in Broward County.
These schools are now closed. Nursing applicants used the fraudulent diplomas to obtain RN or LPN/VN licenses in various states and nursing jobs with unwitting health care providers throughout the country.
